6. Loan sales and Securitizations

Residential Mortgage Portfolio

The following table summarizes activity relating to residential mortgage loans sold with servicing retained for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

The following tables summarize the changes in MSRs recorded using either the fair value method or the amortization method for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

MSRs do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. While sales of MSRs occur, the precise terms and conditions are typically not readily available. Therefore, the fair value of MSRs is estimated using a discounted future cash flow model. The model considers portfolio characteristics, contractually specified servicing fees and assumptions related to prepayments, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenues, costs to service, and other economic factors. Changes in the assumptions used may have a significant impact on the valuation of MSRs.

MSR values are very sensitive to movements in interest rates as expected future net servicing income depends on the projected outstanding principal balances of the underlying loans, which can be greatly impacted by the level of prepayments. Huntington hedges the value of certain MSRs against changes in value attributable to changes in interest rates using a combination of derivative instruments and trading securities.

For MSRs under the fair value method, a summary of key assumptions and the sensitivity of the MSR value to changes in these assumptions at December 31, 2014, and 2013 follows:

For MSRs under the amortization method, a summary of key assumptions and the sensitivity of the MSR value to changes in these assumptions at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

Total servicing, late and other ancillary fees included in mortgage banking income was $44.3 million, $43.8 million, and $46.2 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The unpaid principal balance of residential mortgage loans serviced for third parties was $15.6 billion, $15.2 billion, and $15.6 billion at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Automobile Loans and Leases

The following table summarizes activity relating to automobile loans sold and/or securitized with servicing retained for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

Huntington has retained servicing responsibilities on sold automobile loans and receives annual servicing fees and other ancillary fees on the outstanding loan balances. Automobile loan servicing rights are accounted for using the amortization method. A servicing asset is established at fair value at the time of the sale using a discounted future cash flow model. The model considers assumptions related to actual servicing income, adequate compensation for servicing, and other ancillary fees. The servicing asset is then amortized against servicing income. Impairment, if any, is recognized when carrying value exceeds the fair value as determined by calculating the present value of expected net future cash flows. The primary risk characteristic for measuring servicing assets is payoff rates of the underlying loan pools. Valuation calculations rely on the predicted payoff assumption and, if actual payoff is quicker than expected, then future value would be impaired.

Changes in the carrying value of automobile loan servicing rights for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the fair value at the end of each period were as follows:

A summary of key assumptions and the sensitivity of the automobile loan servicing rights value to changes in these assumptions at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

Servicing income, net of amortization of capitalized servicing assets was $7.7 million, $10.3 million, and $8.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The unpaid principal balance of automobile loans serviced for third parties was $0.8 billion, $1.6 billion, and $2.5 billion at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Small Business Association (SBA) Portfolio

The following table summarizes activity relating to SBA loans sold with servicing retained for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

Huntington has retained servicing responsibilities on sold SBA loans and receives annual servicing fees on the outstanding loan balances. SBA loan servicing rights are accounted for using the amortization method. A servicing asset is established at fair value at the time of the sale using a discounted future cash flow model. The servicing asset is then amortized against servicing income. Impairment, if any, is recognized when carrying value exceeds the fair value as determined by calculating the present value of expected net future cash flows.

The following tables summarize the changes in the carrying value of the servicing asset for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

A summary of key assumptions and the sensitivity of the SBA loan servicing rights value to changes in these assumptions at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

Servicing income, net of amortization of capitalized servicing assets was $7.4 million, $6.3 million, and $5.7 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The unpaid principal balance of SBA loans serviced for third parties was $898.0 million, $885.4 million and $758.3 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.